Charles richard alsop



(No Model.)

0. R. ALSOP.

ELECTRIC TRAGK SIGNAL.

Patented Oct. 9, 1894..

Wilgsscs m: anna s PETERS cu. mom-mun" WASHINGTON, n, c.

I UN TED-STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

- CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP; OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO LUCY C.ALSOP, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC TRACK-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 527,099, dated October9, 1 894.

Application filed November 27, 1893. Serial No. 492,128. (No model.)

To all whom it" may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES RICHARD AL- SOP, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and usefulElectric Track-Signal, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric track sig nals; and it has for itsobject to provide an improved signal device of this character em.-ployed in connection with railway tracks, and which are adapted to beoperated by the wheel of a car so as to complete a circuit with a signalbell or other electrically controlled signaling apparatus.

To this end the main and primary object of the present invention is tosimplify the construction of track signals for railways and render thesame much more efficient and positive in operation.

With these and other objects in view which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of an electric track signal setup for use. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof on the line50-00 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: A represents one of the rails ofa track, adjacent to which rail is arranged the usual guard rail B, andat this point of the track my improved signaling device or apparatus isintended to be used in order to give the proper signal for the passingtrain. Suitably mounted on the track ties at one side of the rail A, isa chair-box 0, cast in a suitable shape to accommodate the several partsof the apparatus contained therein, and is adapted to be inclosed by aremovable cap or cover D, which covers the several parts of theapparatus and not only protects the same from snow and ice, but alsoprevents the apparatus from being tampered with. Pivotally mountedwithin the chair-box C, at one end on the vertical pivot" E, is thehorizontal contact lever F. The contact lever F, extends a distancewithin the chair-box beyond the pivot E,,at one end thereof, and isprovided at its other moving end or extremity with the right. angularlydisposed arm G, having the outer exposed contact edge H.' The contactedge H, of the lever arm, projects outside of the cover of the box inreasonably close proximity to one side of the rail A, so as to leave aspace there-between and such rail, less thanthe width of a car wheelflange, which is adapted topass between the rail and said contact edgeso as to move the free end of the contact lever inward within thechair-box, to close the signal circuit in'a manner to be presentlydescribed, and said contact edgeH, is rounded and curved from end to endthereof in order to properly guide the wheel flange at one side thereof,and reduce the frictional contact as much as possible.

The contact lever is normally held in an inactive position with itscontact edge dis- 7oposed close to the track rail, as described, bymeans of the strong lever spring I, seated in the spring socket J,formed at one side of the chair box and engaging at its outer end theheaded follower stud K, which contacts with one side of the contactlever F, at a point intermediate of its ends, in order to impart thetension of the spring to suchlever and prevent it from being movedexcept by the car wheel flange passing at one side thereof. 59 Themovable spring-actuated contact lever is guided and adjusted in itsmovement by the reduced guide stem L, which stem is projected from oneextremity of the contact arm G, and is adapted to work through thewidened guide lug M, cast at one end of the chair-box, and the innerextremity of said guide stem is threaded to receive the check nuts N,which hold the contact edge of the contact lever out of contact with thetrack 9:)

.rails, and also provide means for adjusting the distance between thesetwo parts in setting up the apparatus. The moving end of the contactlever F, in-

side of the chair-box C, is provided with an 5 ofi-standing contactlug'O, which is adapted to be moved between the separated contactsprings P. The separated contact springs P,

are provided with out-turned free ends 10, which serve to guide the lugO, there-between, 10c

and the other ends of said springs are separately fastened to aninsulator block Q, se-

cured inside of the chair-box C. To the fas= tenedends of each of thesprings P, are connected the circuit wires 1-'2 which have in thesignalcircuit 12, which causes the proper signal to be given.

While I have described and prefer the circuit arrangement justdescribed,-it will be obvious that only one of the contact springs P,might be employed and connected with one of the circuit wires while theother circuit wire may be connected to the rail A, so that the flange ofthe car wheel together with the lug 0, will complete the circuit throughthe rail and the contact lever described, and I will also have itunderstood that other changes in the form, proportion and theminordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing fromthe principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is

1. In an electric track signal, the combination of suitably arrangedseparated contact 'springs, a signal circuit having the wires thereofconnected separately to said springs, and a horizontal spring actuatedcontact lever mounted to play on avertical pivot adjacent to one side ofa track rail and normally out of contact therewith to leave a space of awidth less than a car wheel flange which is adapted to move said contactlever laterally between said contact springs, substantially as setforth.

2. In a track signal, an inclosed chair-box arranged adjacent to a trackrail, a stationary contact, included in a signal circuit, mounted withinsaid chair-box, a horizontal spring actuated contact lever arranged toplay on a vertical pivot within said chair box andhaving acontactlugadapted to be moved against said stationary contact to close the signalcircuit, and adjusting devices for adjusting the contact edge of saidlever in close proximity to one side of the track rail to leave a narrowspace for the flange of a car wheel to pass through substantially as setforth.

3. In an electric track signal, an inolosed chair-box arranged adjacentto a track rail, separated contact springs mounted inside of said chairbox and having outturned free ends, a normally open signal circuithaving the Wires thereof connected separately to said springs, ahorizontal spring actuated contact lever mounted to play on a verticalpivot withinsaid boxand having a curved rounded contact edge disposed inclose proximity to the track rail to leave a space narrower in widththan the flange of a car wheel which passes'th rough such space,and an01f standing contactlug adapted to be forced by the flange of the carwheel between the outturned ends of said contact springs, substantiallyas set forth.

4. In an electric track signal, an inclosed chair-box having a springsocket at one side and a widened guide lug at one end, a contact leverpivotally mounted at one end within said chair-box and provided at itsother free ends with an arm having a curved rounded contact edgedisposed in close proximity to a track rail, and a reduced guide stemadapted to move in said widened guide lug, check nuts adjustably mountedon the free end of said guide stem, separated contacts adapted toreceive there-between one end of said contact lever, and a normally opensignal circuit having the wires thereof connected separately to saidseparated contacts, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP.

\Vitnesses:

GEo. A. CoLEs, EUGENE J. CLARK.

